Inclusive growth seen amid upbeat tourism

"Tourism is most inclusive sector." Businessman Joey Concepcion, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship, made that statement in a speech before Cebuano businessmen Tuesday, pointing out tourism as the country’s most potential sector to help boost inclusive growth.

"The Philippines has the greatest potential in tourism," he said at the general membership meeting of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Radisson Blu Cebu yesterday.

However, he cited the country’s tourism push needs to bring in more visitors as it boasts to have some of the best beaches in the world.

While tourism has been the country’s main economic growth drivers, it hasn't received so much arrivals compared to its neighbors in Southeast Asia such as Thailand and Vietnam.

Citing figures, he noted the country’s tourist arrivals totaled 7.1 million last year, way below the 38.4 million recorded by neighboring nation Thailand in the same year.

Concepcion emphasized that tourism infrastructure -- particularly airports -- is essential as the country moves to bring in more arrivals.

For instance, he said Cebu does have a huge opportunity in luring more travelers with its modernized airport.

"Airports are very essential in tourism," the businessman said.

"For Cebu, tourism is natural to you. You've got creative people and you have a new airport," he said.

Cebu is now moving to attract more tourists following the opening of its new airport terminal last year.

In 2018, the Central Visayas region recorded 8.1 million tourist arrivals both domestic and foreign, exceeding the initial 7.4 million target.

Of the the 8.1 million arrivals, Cebu had the highest share of foreign and domestic tourist arrivals of 2.8 million 2.8 million, respectively.

The opening of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 and Bohol-Panglao International Airport had helped boost international flight frequencies into the region’s air hubs, boosting new arrivals.